September 2022 Vol. 20 No. 9

View from the Top

• Katsuhiko Kawazoe, Senior Executive Vice President, NTT

  

  Abstract
  The NTT Group is taking on the challenge of creating a Smart World that enriches the lives of all people around the world through its efforts in a variety of fields. By implementing the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN), the group aims to solve social issues and create innovative services. We interviewed Katsuhiko Kawazoe, senior executive vice president of NTT, who coined the term “IOWN,” about the development status of IOWN and his approach to his work as a top executive.

Front-line Researchers

• Makio Kashino, NTT Fellow and Director of Kashino Diverse Brain Research Laboratory, NTT Communication Science Laboratories

  

  Abstract
  In 2021, the Japanese national team won the gold medal in the women’s softball competition at a major international sporting event held in Tokyo. Behind this triumph was a new attempt to clarify the brain mechanisms that enable top athletes to execute their superior techniques and improve such techniques through training using the latest information technology. We interviewed NTT Fellow Makio Kashino, who is exploring the mechanisms of the mind and body by focusing on the implicit brain function, and asked him about his research activities and his approach as a researcher.

Rising Researchers

• Kenya Suzuki, Distinguished Researcher, Project Leader, NTT Device Innovation Center

  

  Abstract
  Optical functional devices are becoming increasingly widely used and important. There is a need, however, to improve not only their functions and performance, but also development time and manufacturing throughput in order to meet the sophisticated and diverse demand specifications. We interviewed Distinguished Researcher Dr. Kenya Suzuki about smartphotonics^® to address these problems in the manufacture of optical devices.

Feature Articles: Access Network Technologies for IOWN

• Access Network Technologies to Implement IOWN

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is engaged in research and development (R&D) on access networks that link customers to NTT central offices, supporting the world’s communication infrastructure technology with the world’s most advanced and cutting-edge R&D. In this article, we introduce our R&D initiatives for the improvement of network functions, smarter operations, and the creation of new value through using our assets to implement the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN).

• R&D Challenges in Solving Social-infrastructure Problems

  

  Abstract
  To solve problems surrounding social-infrastructure projects, such as a declining workforce, proliferation of aging facilities, increasing maintenance and renewal costs, and frequent disasters, and to create a “smart world,” NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is engaged in research and development centered on three pillars: (i) digital transformation of maintenance and operations, (ii) construction of safe and secure social-infrastructure facilities, and (iii) use of assets such as facilities and operations. In this article, the technologies related to these three pillars are introduced.

• Wireless Technologies for Future Network Services Tailored to the Requirements of Various Users and Applications

  

  Abstract
  For the IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network)/6G (6th-generation mobile communication system) era, wireless systems and use cases, applications, and terminals will evolve, and users and service requirements will diversify. Therefore, drastic innovation is needed, especially for wireless access, which is sensitive to the environment. This article introduces technologies for expanding the potential of wireless-access performance, control technologies that make the most of the expanded potential, and wireless-environment-verification technologies that support the development of various services.

• Technical Approaches for Operations to Accelerate Digital Transformation

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is undertaking research and development into operations technology to enable smart operations and explore new business areas through such operations. We believe that collaborative business operations involving multiple players will be both deeper and more common in the future. Therefore, we are focusing on the promotion and expansion of digital transformation involving multiple players. This article introduces our recent efforts in self-evolving zero-touch operations technology and business design support technology based on operation-process classification.

• 50 Years at Tsukuba R&D Center

  

  Abstract
  NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories was established in Tsukuba City on July 20, 1972 as Tsukuba Telecommunication Construction Engineering Development Center. Since then, it has been renamed several times during the era of the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation and the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT). In July 2022, the Laboratories’ Tsukuba Research and Development (R&D) Center celebrated its 50th anniversary. This article introduces the 50-year history of the Tsukuba R&D Center, focusing on the large-scale experimental facilities that supported R&D activities in Tsukuba.

Feature Articles: Intent-based Application, Cloud-server, and Network Collaboration Technologies

• Intent AI Mediator (Mintent) for High-satisfaction-level Services

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces the intent AI (artificial intelligence) mediator called Mintent that coordinates and cooperatively controls networks, cloud servers, and applications on the basis of the respective requirements (intents) of service providers and users. This technology can be used to provide services on the basis of such intents.

• Technology for Extracting and Converting Various and Ambiguous Intents to Implement Mintent

  

  Abstract
  In this article, we introduce an intent-extraction technology to extract intents of service providers and users in a next-generation communication service and a resource-requirement-conversion technology to convert these intents into resource requirements that can be used for resource control in the intent artificial-intelligence mediator (Mintent) that enables operations by taking into account various intents.

• Optimize Cloud-server Resources for Comfortable Web Conferencing

  

  Abstract
  This article introduces an application example of the cloud-server resource-optimization technology, which is one of the technologies comprising the intent artificial intelligence (AI) mediator called Mintent, to a web-conferencing service. This technology recommends the minimum amount of resources necessary to meet the requirements (intents) of each service provider and user, reducing resource costs while ensuring quality of experience, by using AI that predicts performance in accordance with various service usage conditions. This helps to meet a variety of requirements, such as improving user engagement with services, reducing service providers’ operating and resource costs, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through more efficient energy use.

• Intent-based Application and Network Cooperative Control Technology for Video-streaming Services

  

  Abstract
  We have been conducting research and development to implement the intent AI (artificial intelligence) mediator called Mintent, a technology concept that enables cooperation among application control, network control, and cloud server control on the basis of user requirements (intent) to increase user satisfaction. To implement Mintent, we propose a technology to enable cooperation between application control and network control by using intent as a common index for video-streaming services. This article provides an overview of this technology and discusses its effectiveness determined through simulation.

Regular Articles

• Wireless-link-quality Prediction and Device-position Estimation Based on Relationship between Wireless-communication-link and Physical-space Information

  

  Abstract
  Various wireless terminals are being connected to a network via wireless communication accesses, and the number of wireless terminals and their traffic are steadily increasing. The information from a huge number of connected devices is expected to be a foundation of new services. The Cabinet Office of Japan proposed Society 5.0, where people, things, and systems are all connected in cyberspace. The optimal results obtained through artificial intelligence will bring new value to industry and society. Society 5.0 is achieved by the convergence between cyberspace and physical space. Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) will accelerate the obtaining of physical-space information from a number of various sensors. This article introduces two technologies that use the relationship between physical-space information and wireless-communication-link information for new services in Society 5.0; 1) wireless-link-quality prediction using camera images and 2) device-position estimation using Wi-Fi feedback signals.

• Development of Compact/Power-saving Optical Open Line System

  

  Abstract
  NTT Network Innovation Center has developed a compact/power-saving optical open line system that can provide optical transmission of 100 Gbit/s per wavelength in an economical, space-saving, and power-saving manner. The goal with this system is to achieve large-capacity transmission up to edge buildings in the metro network to deal with the rapid increase in traffic accompanying the introduction of the 5th-generation mobile back haul. This article presents an overview of this system and its features.

Global Standardization Activities

• Report on the 34th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program Meeting

  

  Abstract
  The 34th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program meeting (ASTAP-34) was held from 18 to 22 April 2022. This meeting was held in an online format due to the impact of the spread of novel coronavirus infections and was attended by approximately 230 participants (registered) from 19 Member States. This article reports on ASTAP-34 and the Industry Workshop held in conjunction with ASTAP-34.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings